Kao Corporation expands semiconductor market share through precision chemicals

Japanese consumer goods giant Kao Corporation is seeing significant growth driven by the semiconductor industry. While widely known for personal care brands like Biore, the company has become a critical player in the high-tech supply chain by providing precision cleaning agents used in chip manufacturing.

According to its semi-annual financial report for fiscal year 2026, Kao holds approximately 60% of the market share for high-precision cleaning agents used in chip packaging substrates. The company also leads in market share for specific chemicals used in NAND memory production processes. The semiconductor-related chemical segment reported net sales of 247.2 billion yen, a 9.4% increase compared to the previous year, outperforming the growth rate of its traditional consumer goods division.

Kao’s specialized chemical products are currently integrated into the supply chains of major global semiconductor manufacturers, including TSMC, Samsung, and Kioxia.